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The 14th June marks National Cucumber Day: a day for foodies all over to appreciate thisrefreshing fruit (yes cucumber, like tomato, is actually a fruit). Though we suspect the more skeptical among us would perhaps shake their heads in disbelief to the existence of such a day, cucumber – which comes from the same botanic family as melon – has a variety of day-to-day uses.

As well as a tasty additive to many salads, cucumbers are famously used for eyes in facials; with claims that its high water and vitamin content helps revive tired eyes! Its popularity in drinks and cocktails has also boomed in recent years, and though it may not be one of the first things you'd think to use in a cocktail, its clean flavour makes an excellent addition to summer beverages.

At Eriska cucumber has become a favourite choice for many of our guests, mainly with Hendrick's gin, and so to help everyone celebrate the day in style we have listed some of the most requested beverages featuring a dash of cucumber for you all to try (including our new non-alcoholic Eriska Fizz)

Hendricks and Tonic

For a delightfully refreshing tipple, serve Hendricks Gin over ice, top up with tonic and garnish with a slice of cucumber to fully appreciate the infusion of rose petal and cucumber in this most unusual gin.

50 ml Hendrick's Gin

125 ml Tonic Water

2 slices of cucumber

Hendricks Martini

Refreshing Martini with a hint of cucumber!

50ml Hendricks Gin

5ml Dry Vermouth

To Prepare: Add ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake over plenty of ice. Strain into a Martini Glass.

Garnish with a cucumber ball in place of the traditional olive.

Eriska Fizz

Chill out on a warm day with a refreshing mix of cucumber, elderflower and lemon.

25ml elderflower cordial

25ml lemon juice

2” cucumber; Skin and seeds removed

To Prepare: Remove the skin from the outside of the piece of cucumber, and the flavourless, watery seeds from the center. Roughly chop the piece into a few smaller pieces (to help it break down). Add this to a cocktail shaker with the lemon juice and elderflower cordial, and mash the cucumber a little with a muddler or flat end of a bar spoon. Add plenty of ice to the shaker and SHAKE HARD to squeeze the flavour out of the cucumber. Strain the mix into a tall glass filled with ice and top up with soda water to finish. For a more visually appealing drink use a tea strainer to strain and ensure no little pieces of lemon or cucumber make it into the glass.

NB Also works fantastically with 50ml of gin for those seeking a little more bite...